★ Extremely Rare "Antiochos Soter" Issue ★

SELEUKID KINGS OF SYRIA. "Antiochos Soter", 246-circa 244 BC, or later. (Bronze, 14 mm, 3.98 g, 1 h), uncertain mint associated with Antioch. Diademed head of Antiochos I to right. Rev. ΣΩTHPΩΣ ANTIOXOY Anchor, with caps of the Dioskouroi flanking; to lower right, monogram of ΔΕΛ. HGC 9, 296 (R3). SC 642. WSM 1145. Extremely rare. Brown patina. Surface roughness, otherwise, very fine.

From the Thomas Kirby Collection, USA.

Struck during the chaotic succession after the death of Antiochos II, the "Antiochos Soter" coinage features the portrait of Antiochos I with the title Soter ( Saviour ) but lacks the royal title. The coinage in all metals is extremely rare (there is only one example of this bronze issue on CoinArchives). It is not certain who was responsible for the Soter coinage; it may have been the supporters of Seleukos II, or probably more likely, those of Ptolemy III who was active in the region during the Third Syrian War.